Amethyst meaning: What are the properties of the crystal?

FEBRRUARY’S birthstone is rumored to be a powerful crystal.

Amethyst also has an intriguing historical and scientific past.

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Amethyst is often found in geodes[/caption]

What are the properties of amethyst?

Amethyst is a variety of quartz that’s characterized by its purple hue that can range from lilac to deep royal purple. Its wine-like color inspired its name, the Ancient Greek word for intoxicate, as they believed the crystal could help protect you from getting drunk.

Like all quartz, amethyst is fairly hard, making it perfect to wear as jewelry, which humans have been doing for thousands of years.

Varieties of quartz also have a hexagonal crystal structure and naturally come to a triangular point at their top.

Amethyst is often found in geodes within organic rocks. These geodes can be huge, with the largest amethyst geode ever found being named the Empress of Uruguay, and measures almost 11 feet tall (3.27 meters).

What is the spiritual meaning of amethyst?

Amethyst is thought to be a protective and healing crystal, according to mycrystals.com.

In some cultures, amethyst is believed to help individuals suffering from stress and anxiety. Some also think it can help headaches and help clear your mind.

Some say that amethyst is a powerful spiritual crystal and can help enhance spiritual awareness and protect individuals from psychic attacks.

Historically, Ancient Greeks and Romans would drink out of cups made from the crystal in hopes that it would stop them from getting too drunk.

In the Middle Ages, English royalty would adorn themselves with amethyst, relating the crystal’s purple color to the color of nobility.

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Amethyst crystals are often darker at the tips because of a higher concentration of iron[/caption]

How are amethysts formed?

Amethysts are often found in the same places other quartz are found, including inside igneous rocks (which are formed by volcanoes and create crystals as they cool), inside metamorphic rocks (which are changed when subjected to intense pressure or high temperature), inside hydrothermal vents or in hot springs.

The purple color is created when ferric iron is substituted for some of the normal silica in quartz and then exposed to radiation.

The crystals have a higher chance of exposure to radiation in igneous rocks, according to Scientific American because radioactive minerals are more common there.

Don’t worry though, the amount of radiation in the crystal is not enough to affect you, but it is enough to give the crystals a pop of color!